THE SHORT-EARED OWL IN VOLE PLAGUE DISTRICTS 225 



Glenkerry and Gair in Ettrick ; and Castle O'er and Crurie, 

 Nether Cassock, Glendearg, and Fingland on Eskdalemuir. 

 Mr. D. Glendinning, Howpasley, states that specimens were 

 seen and nests found in Liddesdale-head in 1887, and on 

 the early afternoon of a day about the middle of June 

 1 890 a bird spent half an hour quartering the rough grass in 

 West Deloraine, to the north-west of Clearburn Loch, in 

 close proximity to a fishing party of which I was a member. 



That these birds should have mustered and bred in 

 such numbers in the wide area indicated is in itself a most 

 interesting fact, and one that goes far to prove the keenness 

 of the struggle for existence among the feathered races. We 

 all know that the homing instinct is almost paramount in all 

 migratory birds, and yet the abundance of food in the vole 

 counties has induced many mere winter visitors among these 

 owls to settle at least for a while among us and to render 

 services to the sheep farmer which cannot be over-estimated. 



With reference to the Kestrel, I have given in the Schedule 

 a statement of the details of value which I have received, and 

 nothing requires to be added. In driving or walking over 

 any part of the vole-infested area the bird is constantly in 

 sight, sometimes several at once, and forms a most pleasing 

 feature of the landscape. 



I cannot close without acknowledging the kindness and 

 courtesy of the gentlemen who were good enough to aid me 

 in obtaining the particulars required to enable me to compile 

 this article. I am particularly indebted to the follow- 

 ing gentlemen for the trouble which they have taken, viz. : — 

 Richard Bell, Esq., of Castle O'er ; T. Scott Anderson, Esq., 

 of Shaws ; Charles N. Dunlop, Esq., of Whitmuirhill ; Alex- 

 ander Sturrock, Esq., banker, Edinburgh ; R. Service, Esq., 

 Maxwelltown ; James Matheson, Esq., banker, Selkirk ; 

 Dr. Hamilton, Hawick; J. Scott, Esq., West Deloraine; 

 Wm. G. Stewart, Esq., Barnhill, Moffat ; Charles S. Grieve 

 Esq., Branxholm Park, Hawick; James Hobkirk, Esq., 

 Broadhaugh, Hawick ; and John Mitchell, Esq., Newburgh. 



